It may have been an earlier launchboard into neighboring areas.
Spain was swiftly entrenched into Peru and Mexico but England, with local supply lines, might snap up Canada and Louisiana, even part of Brazil or the Rio Plata area before Spain/France/Portugual claimed them.
Or, with a better local supply line, these border areas would be easier to conquer in the many wars fought in the new world in colonial times. I'm not sure that Columbia/Venezuela/etc would necessarily be in play for Britain.
By the time the British colonies in OTL were settled and available to assist the empire in any real manner, most of the best resources, ports, lands to the south (Rio, Buenos Aires, Salvador, etc) had Spanish settlements and would prove tough to take.
Britain, with another 50-75 years in the 1600's, may have a bit bigger empire but perhaps not necessarily a stronger one.
I'm not sure if it would affect events like the American revolution unless it was to prevent events like the 7 Years War which helped foster American nationalism and a sense of common purpose. Another 50-75 years of colonization in the 1600's might make the American population a bit bigger, though, but only by so much. American autonomy may come somewhat slower and more peacefully without the 7 Years War and subsequent British heavi-handed governance that instigated the American Revolutionary War.